M. L. Vasanthakumari

Madras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari, professionally known as MLV, was a Carnatic musician and playback singer. She has sung film songs in many Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. MLV, D. K. Pattammal, and M. S. Subbulakshmi are popularly referred to as the female trinity of Carnatic Music. MLV was born to Lalithangi Vasanthakumari, an accomplished vocalist, and Koothanur Ayyasamy Iyer on July 3, 1928. Koothanur Ayyasamy Iyer, her father, was also a musician. She was trained by her mother at a very young age. MLV accompanied her mother to music shows and concerts from the age of 10. When her mother had to withdraw from a show in Bangalore due to illness, MLV stepped in to take over.

She was a disciple of legendary Carnatic musician G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB). Before G. N. Balasubramaniam entered MLV's life, she was all prepared to pursue a medical career. She was also the first disciple of GNB. MLV made many ragas popular, and her Ragam Thanam Pallavis were regarded as cerebral. She also popularised Purandara Dasa's (and other Dasas') compositions and songs like Baarokrishnayya and Innu daya barade. MLV had thorough command over many ragas. She could perform several challenging ragas with ease. MLV started singing for movies in 1946. Ellam Inbamayam in Ragamalika and Chinnanchiru Kiliyae, two timeless songs by Subramania Bharathiyar, were her first major hits in the 1951 film Manamagal. MLV also performed Parkadal Alaimele, a well-liked Ragamalika for the 1960 movie Raja Desingu that later gained popularity in Bharatha Natyam performances.

These songs were performed by MLV at her Carnatic music concerts, and musicians still frequently perform them today. Other well-received songs MLV sang included Adisayam Vanathu Arivumayam, Senthamarai Kannanae, Vanna Tamizh, and Adum Arul Jothi in the films Vikramadithan, Vairamalai, Sornakili and respectively. MLV also taught music to children at the Rishi Valley School, started by Jiddu Krishnamurti. MLV, at 49, was the youngest woman to receive Sangita Kalanidhi by The Music Academy, Madras. She was also honored with a doctorate from Mysore University in 1976 for her work on Purandaradasa's music.

MLV also received the third highest civilian honor from the Indian Government, "Padma Bhushan". She was married to ‘Vikatam’ Krishnamurti and the couple had two children — Shankar, and Srividya. Srividya was a renowned actress who has done many Malayalam and Tamil movies. Sridevi was also trained under MLV. She was in the music industry for over 50 years. MLV died in 1990 at the age of 63 due to cancer.